Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'di fretta' to tell someone you are rushing or don't have much time to talk.
- Means: Being in a state of haste or rushing.
- Used in: Catching a bus, running late for work, or quick greetings.
- Don't confuse: 'Ho fretta' (I have haste) with 'Sono di fretta' (I am rushing).
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Moving quickly.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, drinking coffee 'di fretta' at the bar counter is a standard morning ritual. It's social but efficient. There is a stereotype that Northerners (especially in Milan) are always 'di fretta', while Southerners prefer a slower pace. Being 'di fretta' is often the unofficial excuse for the assertive driving style found in cities like Rome or Naples. Being 'di fretta' during a Sunday family lunch is considered quite rude. Meals are meant to be 'con calma'.
The 'Essere' Rule
Always remember to use 'essere' (to be) when describing yourself. 'Sono di fretta' is your go-to phrase.
Double T
Don't forget the double 't' in fretta. If you say it with a single 't', it sounds like a different word!
The 'Essere' Rule
Always remember to use 'essere' (to be) when describing yourself. 'Sono di fretta' is your go-to phrase.
Double T
Don't forget the double 't' in fretta. If you say it with a single 't', it sounds like a different word!
Polite Exit
Use 'sono un po' di fretta' to end a conversation politely without hurting feelings.
In vs Di
Use 'di fretta' for people and 'in fretta' for actions. 'Sono di fretta' vs 'Ho fatto in fretta'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb to say 'I am in a hurry'.
Io ___ di fretta.
In Italian, you use the verb 'essere' (to be) with 'di fretta' to describe your state.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'He ate quickly'.
'Di fretta' acts as an adverb here to describe how he ate.
Match the response to the situation.
Your friend asks: 'Vuoi un altro caffè?' but your train leaves in 2 minutes.
This is the most natural way to decline because you are rushing.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Perché corri? B: Perché ___ di fretta, il film inizia ora!
The speaker is talking about themselves in the present tense.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Di Fretta vs. Presto
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesIo ___ di fretta.
In Italian, you use the verb 'essere' (to be) with 'di fretta' to describe your state.
Choose the correct way to say 'He ate quickly'.
'Di fretta' acts as an adverb here to describe how he ate.
Your friend asks: 'Vuoi un altro caffè?' but your train leaves in 2 minutes.
This is the most natural way to decline because you are rushing.
A: Perché corri? B: Perché ___ di fretta, il film inizia ora!
The speaker is talking about themselves in the present tense.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes! 'Ho fretta' means 'I have haste'. It's very common and almost identical to 'Sono di fretta'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Veloce' is an adjective (fast). 'Di fretta' describes a state of urgency.
Both are used, but 'di fretta' is more common with the verb 'essere' to describe a person.
You say 'Non aver fretta' or 'Fai con calma'.
No, for a car you would say 'va veloce'. 'Di fretta' is for people or actions.
Not exactly. It means you are rushing *right now*. 'Impegnato' means busy.
Young people might say 'vado a manetta' (I'm going at full throttle).
Yes, 'molto di fretta' or 'un po' di fretta' are very common.
It's just a fixed prepositional phrase. Languages often use different prepositions for the same idea!
Yes, it is a standard Italian phrase used from North to South.
Yes, for example: 'Ti scrivo di fretta per avvisarti che...'
Expressions liées
in fretta e furia
similarIn a great, chaotic rush
di corsa
similarOn the run / very fast
con calma
contrastSlowly / with calm
sbrigarsi
builds onTo hurry up
frettoloso
specialized formHasty (adjective)
Où l'utiliser
At the Coffee Bar
Barista: Vuoi sederti?
Learner: No grazie, prendo il caffè al banco, sono di fretta!
Meeting a Friend
Friend: Ehi! Come stai? Hai tempo per un drink?
Learner: Mi piacerebbe, ma sono un po' di fretta ora. Ci sentiamo dopo?
In a Taxi
Learner: Può andare più veloce? Sono molto di fretta.
Driver: Faccio il possibile, ma c'è traffico!
At the Office
Boss: Hai finito il report?
Learner: Sì, l'ho finito di fretta stamattina. Spero sia tutto corretto.
On a Dating App
Match: Perché non rispondi subito?
Learner: Scusa, sono sempre di fretta tra lavoro e palestra!
Food Delivery
Learner: Il rider è di fretta?
App Support: Sì, ha molte consegne stasera.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Di Fretta' as 'The Friction'. When you rush, your feet rub the ground and create friction!
Association visuelle
Imagine a person running so fast that their shoes are smoking and leaving a trail of sparks on the Italian cobblestones.
Rhyme
Se sei di fretta, non prendere la bicicletta!
Story
Marco is late for his flight to Rome. He drinks his coffee 'di fretta', runs to the taxi 'di fretta', and tells the driver 'sono di fretta!'. He makes it just in time.
In Other Languages
In Spanish, 'de prisa' is almost identical. In French, 'pressé' shares the sense of pressure and speed.
Word Web
Défi
Try to say 'Scusa, sono di fretta!' three times fast while walking quickly around your room.
Review this phrase every time you feel yourself rushing to catch a bus or finish a task.
Prononciation
Short 'd' sound like in 'deep'.
The 'e' is closed, and the double 'tt' must be held longer.
Spectre de formalité
Purtroppo devo congedarmi poiché sono incalzato dal tempo. (Leaving a group)
Scusatemi, ma sono di fretta. (Leaving a group)
Raga, scappo che sono di fretta! (Leaving a group)
Raga, vado a manetta, sono tardissimo! (Leaving a group)
Derived from the Latin 'fricare' (to rub), which led to 'fricta' in Vulgar Latin, eventually becoming 'fretta' in Italian.
Le savais-tu ?
The word is a linguistic cousin to 'friction' and 'fricative' (a type of consonant sound)!
Notes culturelles
In Italy, drinking coffee 'di fretta' at the bar counter is a standard morning ritual. It's social but efficient.
“Un espresso, per favore. Sono di fretta!”
There is a stereotype that Northerners (especially in Milan) are always 'di fretta', while Southerners prefer a slower pace.
“A Milano corrono tutti, sono sempre di fretta.”
Being 'di fretta' is often the unofficial excuse for the assertive driving style found in cities like Rome or Naples.
“Scusa il sorpasso, ero di fretta!”
Being 'di fretta' during a Sunday family lunch is considered quite rude. Meals are meant to be 'con calma'.
“Non mangiare di fretta, goditi il pranzo!”
Amorces de conversation
Scusa, sei di fretta oggi?
Ti capita spesso di mangiare di fretta?
Secondo te, perché la gente è sempre di fretta in città?
Qual è stata l'ultima volta che hai fatto qualcosa in fretta e furia?
Erreurs courantes
Io ho di fretta.
Io sono di fretta.
L1 Interference
Sono in fretta.
Sono di fretta.
L1 Interference
Vado presto.
Vado di fretta.
L1 Interference
Ho fatto il lavoro fretta.
Ho fatto il lavoro di fretta.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Estar de prisa
Spanish also frequently uses 'tener prisa' (to have hurry) where Italian prefers 'essere di fretta'.
Être pressé
French focuses on the 'pressure' aspect, while Italian focuses on the 'haste' itself.
In Eile sein
The preposition choice is the main grammatical hurdle for learners.
急いでいる (Isoide iru)
Italian uses a noun-based state, while Japanese uses a verb-based action.
في عجلة (Fi 'ajala)
The root 'ajala' also relates to wheels and rotation, a different metaphor from friction.
赶时间 (Gǎn shíjiān)
The metaphor is about 'chasing' time rather than 'being' in a state of haste.
서두르고 있다 (Seodureugo itda)
It feels more like an active process than a static state.
Estar com pressa
The choice of preposition 'com' vs 'di' is the primary difference.
Spotted in the Real World
“E se la gente corre di fretta...”
A song about the confusion of modern life and relationships.
“Siamo sempre tutti così di fretta.”
A character reflecting on the lack of time in adult life.
“Dai, dai, dai! Siamo di fretta!”
The director shouting at the crew to speed up filming.
“Camminava di fretta verso il buco.”
Describing a character's movement in a tense moment.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'presto' to mean 'fast' when it actually means 'early'.
Use 'presto' for the clock (8 AM is early) and 'di fretta' for your speed.
'Veloce' is an adjective (fast), while 'di fretta' is a state (in a hurry).
A car is 'veloce', but a person is 'di fretta'.
Questions fréquentes (12)
Yes! 'Ho fretta' means 'I have haste'. It's very common and almost identical to 'Sono di fretta'.
basic understandingIt's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
usage contexts'Veloce' is an adjective (fast). 'Di fretta' describes a state of urgency.
comparisonsBoth are used, but 'di fretta' is more common with the verb 'essere' to describe a person.
grammar mechanicsYou say 'Non aver fretta' or 'Fai con calma'.
practical tipsNo, for a car you would say 'va veloce'. 'Di fretta' is for people or actions.
usage contextsNot exactly. It means you are rushing *right now*. 'Impegnato' means busy.
comparisonsYoung people might say 'vado a manetta' (I'm going at full throttle).
cultural usageYes, 'molto di fretta' or 'un po' di fretta' are very common.
grammar mechanicsIt's just a fixed prepositional phrase. Languages often use different prepositions for the same idea!
grammar mechanicsYes, it is a standard Italian phrase used from North to South.
cultural usageYes, for example: 'Ti scrivo di fretta per avvisarti che...'
usage contexts
